sequence induction using thiopentone 5 mg.kgi' and suxamethonium I mg.kg-'. The trachea was intubated and the lungs ventilated with I % isoflurane in 70% nitrous oxide and oxygen using a Nuffield Penlon 200 ventilator and a Bain coaxial system. Fentanyl 100 pg was given after delivery of a healthy male infant. Fifteen minutes later the endtidal carbon dioxide was noted to be 2.9 kPa. As all other vital signs including pulse and blood pressure were entirely stable. hyperventilation was diagnosed and ventilation was adjusted accordingly. However, the end-tidal carbon dioxide continued to decrease and a further cause was sought. Disconnecting the Bain system from the machine revealed a faint hiss from the swivel connector. The oxygen flush button was found to be partially depressed and the problem was rectified. The inspired isoflurane concentration was increased and intravenous hyoscine was given in an attempt to increase sedation and amnesia. The patient was not sweating or lacrimating unduly. Chest movements and inflation pressures were normal and there was no tachycardia or change in blood pressure. At the end of the operation the oxygen flush button was examined and it was found that the return spring (arrowed. Fig. 1 ) was missing from the assembly. The machine had recently returned from a service and we presume that the return spring had been omitted during re-assembly. The patient experienced some awareness of events after induction but did not feel any pain. The second case involved a similar method of anaesthesia. However, soon after tracheal intubation and connection to the Bain system and Nuffield Penlon ventilator, the combination of high airway pressures and low end-tidal carbon dioxide ( I .6 kPa) was noted. At the same time chest movements were seen to be large. Institution of manual ventilation confirmed a high fresh gas flow and inspection of the Boyles machine rapidly revealed that in this case the oxygen flush button was locked in the 'on' position; no awareness occurred. Cases of awareness during general anaesthesia as a result of the emergency oxygen flush button remaining locked in the 'on' position are well reported [ 1-31. A typical scenario is that at some stage the button is leant against and an Fig. 2.


Currently globalization forces companies to design e-commerce strategies as a competitive factor, This involves the development of complex models that IT can help build. This article is a proposal based on the paradigm of Model Driven Architecture (MDA), describes a metamodel Ecommerce that supports the development of a web application. This application ensures semantic interoperability, which is achieved with the definition of Ontology and technical interoperability, which is achieved with the migration of data from the applicative to other e-commerce platforms. This is possible thanks to a generator that access to repositories of information and facilitates the migration of data from the e-commerce website to other platforms. In this way reduce the complexity and minimizing the efforts for the creation and maintenance of e-commerce solutions


The article presents a review of the literature about the etiological structure of respiratory infections in the modern period, the role of viruses agrippinae etiology in the formation of severe diseases of the respiratory system and their stability in the environment. The purpose of the study was to explore the meaning and possibilities of improving the efficiency of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures in periods of rapid rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections. It is established that at different times of the year in the formation of a rapid rise in the incidence leading role is played by rhinoviruses, RS virus and influenza virus. Epidemiological significance of rhinoviruses is their massive selection and stability in the external environment, much higher than the resistance of influenza viruses. The necessity of strengthening the disinfection measures in the autumn a rise in morbidity The necessity of strengthening the disinfection measures in the autumn a rise in incidence.


This paper provides evidence of substantial matching frictions in the labor market in India. In particular, placement officers in vocational training institutes have very little information about the job preferences of candidates they are trying to place in jobs. In the first part of this study, we adopt a number of methods to elicit genuine preferences of candidates over different types of jobs and show that placement officers have poor knowledge of these preferences. In the second part, we provide placement officers with this information and examine its impact on placement outcomes and employment. We find that placement officers come close to efficiently matching candidates to interviews subject to their information constraints on preferences. Furthermore, this leads substantial improvement in job choices made by candidates and subsequent employment outcomes for up to six months after initial placement. ∗We thank Esther Duflo and Shivakumar Venkatraman for helpful comments. We thank Chetana Sabnis, Shivani Agrawal and Akankshita Dey for providing excellent research assistance and thank Skills Academy for their co-operation in implementing the field activities. We are indebted to Putul Gupta for her exceptional work in leading and managing the field implementation team. We gratefully acknowledge research grant support from PEDL Exploratory Grants (#3545) and MIT. This RCT was registered in the American Economic Association Registry for randomized controlled trials under trial number AEARCTR-0001835. †firstname.lastname@example.com ‡firstname.lastname@example.com


Climate warming is expected to cause the poleward and upward elevational expansion of temperate plant species, but non‐climatic factors such as soils could constrain this range expansion. However, the extent to which edaphic constraints on range expansion have an abiotic (e.g. soil chemistry) or biotic (e.g. micro‐organisms) origin remains undetermined. We conducted greenhouse experiments to test if the survival and growth of a major North American temperate tree species, Acer saccharum (sugar maple), is independently or jointly constrained by abiotic and biotic properties of field‐collected soils from within and beyond the species' elevational range. Abiotic factors, particularly low base cation concentrations, were major constraints to seedling establishment in boreal forest soils (beyond the range edge), but insufficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum (biotic factor) also strongly reduced seedling performance in these soils. Synthesis. Our results suggest that forecasting future changes in forest composition under climate warming requires consideration of soil properties as well as the mycorrhizal status of tree species.


This text aims to show the social representations of a group of university students on the role of the university in building a culture of peace based on the...


In this paper,superoxide dismutase(SOD) was extracted with phosphate buffer from Zophobas morio.On the basis of the previous results,response surface method was adopted according to the central composite experimental design principles by Design Expert software.Response surface and contour were finally graphed with SOD specific activity as the response value.The results showed that the optimum conditions were as follows: the pH of phosphate buffer was 7.43,the ionic strength was 0.26 mol/L,the liquid-solid ratio was 34.72.Under the optimized conditions the SOD specific activity could be up to 116.747 U/mg.


The development of eHealth capability in Australia is proving to be a slow and arduous process, but one of the bright spots has been the take-up of electronic prescriptions.


Post-war Angolan politics and public life exhibit both waves of oppression and resistance. Protests against President Eduardo dos Santos' rule and his party occur in the midst of a climate of fear and repression. The protests underline a struggle to overcome an entrenched political regime which mimics the activities of a genuinely functional state system. However, the state remains hollow and subordinated under the incumbent regime. Under these conditions the protests represent the awakening of a counter-public and the dawning of a citizenship revolution. The counter-public is instanced by the activity of parrhesia, or truth-telling, by the youth opposition and other public figures. This article highlights the ways in which such a counter-public arises and unfolds through the instance of resistance. The success of the counter-public will depend on its ability to galvanise movements of solidarity that might be formed across borders. If the quest for change and political inclusion is to bear fruit, it will require a constructive political engagement between elements of the counter-public and international democratic organisations, to ensure that the partnership between western states and the Angolan regime does not escape public and media scrutiny.


Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracameral injection of a standardized combination of tropicamide 0.02%, phenylephrine 0.31% and lidocaine 1% on corneal endothelial cell count at phacoemulsification. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, 30 eyes of 30 patients undergoing phacoemulsification were assigned to 2 groups. 15 eyes (Intracameral Group A) received 0.2ml of a combination of tropicamide 0.02%, phenylephrine 0.31% and lidocaine 1% just after the first incision. While 15 eyes (Group B) received a topical regimen of one drop of each of cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1% and tropicamide 1%, every 15min for 1hour preoperatively. The main outcome measures were safety on corneal endothelium, by comparing the preoperative and 3 weeks postoperative corneal endothelium cell count in the two groups. Efficacy was also evaluated by measuring pupil size before capsulorhexis and before intraocular lens implantation, in both groups. Results: There was no significant statistical difference in the percentage of endothelial cell loss between the Groups A (27.4%) and the reference Group B (25.7%), with P value (0.595). Regarding Pupillary dilatation, adequate dilatation (>7.4mm) was achieved in both groups. Dilatation was maintained to the end of operation in the Fydrane group, while in the reference group, reduction in pupillary dilatation occurred in 20% (3 cases) reaching pupil diameter 5.5mm before IOL implantation. Conclusions: This study showed that intracameral injection of tropicamide 0.02%, phenylephrine 0.31% and lidocaine 1% is safe on corneal endothelium and effective in maintaining pupillary dilatation throughout the surgery


Hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) was detected in the serum of a 5 1/2-month-old male infant with giant cell hepatitis. Three of four other members of the family were asymptomatic carriers of HAA with normal or nearly normal results of liver function tests and no history of liver disease. Results of liver biopsies of the carriers were compatible with resolving acute hepatitis in two and chronic hepatitis in one. In these cases, the detection of HAA was a sensitive indicator of the presence of liver disease.


This work detailed on trace fossil atlas and description, ichnofacies, and the application to interpretation of various depositional environments (brackish-water through fully marine facies). Trace fossils morphology, occurrence, variations and ichnoassociation are compared to other forms from other basins across the world. It is the result of an in-depth research on over 3000 feet of cores from the Miocene reservoirs within the depositional belts of Niger Delta basin. It will be a useful tool for students, experts and academia working either in the Niger Delta basin or in similar siliciclastic reservoirs from other basins of the world.


Introduction The concept of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque in defining the prognostic risk for plaque rupture and thromboembolic complications is an attempt to go beyond the concept of the risk as only related to the degree of the consequent stenosis. However, interventional trials still depend on the evaluation of the degree of stenosis, used as endpoint [1,2], and do not use plaque characteristics such as aspect, morphology, structure, and mechanics. Unfortunately, no consensus has yet been reached about how to define objective criteria and methodologies for assessing plaque characteristics [3–7].


In this paper, one of the methods for solving the multi-criteria routing problem in multiservice telecommunication networks is presented. This paper proposes a multi-criteria approach that solves the problem of routing in multiservice communication networks and that takes into account not only the technical requirements for resources but also the economic component. To the restrictions imposed on the route - the throughput and the time delay of data transmission in the channel. This approach allows you to build an optimal route for almost any type of service.


Neuroendocrine secretory vesicles can be classified into two types.l The first is the secretory granule, in neurons also referred to as the large dense core vesicle, which mediates the regulated, signal-dependent release of stored proteins and biogenic amines. The second is the synaptic vesicle of neurons, which mediates the release of neurotransmitters but lacks secretory proteins and its counterpart in certain endocrine cells, the synaptic-like microvesicle (SLMV). In this review, we will discuss selected topics concerning the biogenesis of secretory granules and synaptic vesicles (for recent reviews of this field, see refs. 2 and 3) and will put forward some considerations and hypotheses that may serve as guidelines for investigations of the unresolved topics.


The current standard considers the efficiency of electric motors only in terms of power efficiency and does not pay attention to the so-called economic efficiency - the power factor that affects the loss of electricity in the motor supply network and depends on its energy excellence.This ill-considered approach to establishing the energy efficiency class is a significant shortcoming of the European standard and requires its refinement. The single-phase power supply network in housing and communal services has led to the fact that modern motor compressor units of refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. are equipped with single-phase asynchronous electric motors. An innovative single-phase asynchronous AC motor for motor-compressor units of household appliances is considered in the paper. The stator winding of it is composed of two identical series-connected coils enclosed in half-slots of the stator with a spacious offset of 900.The phase shift of the currents in the coils is provided by a capacitor connected in parallel to one of the coils. The proposed motor is technological in production, has higher specific power and energy efficiency than existing models and meets the IE-3 class energy efficiency. Equivalent electrical circuit and vector diagram of currents for this motor have been developed and shown.  They are intended for its mathematical simulation, calculation of static operating characteristics, analysis of dynamic properties at operation in the electric drive system, and also at the level of design work.


Intestinal perforation is an unusual but very severe complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). In adults on PD the incidence ranges from 1% to 10%, with most reported incidences between 3% and 3.5% (1–3). Mortality is high, up to 46% (3). The most important causes of intestinal perforation in adults are diverticulitis and perforation by catheter insertion. Pediatric cases have been incidentally described, with one or two cases per study. Reported incidences are up to 3.2% (4–6). We present here three cases of intestinal perforation in 3 of 128 children on PD in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, since 1980 (3.1%), the largest pediatric survey as far as we know. The specific etiology of perforation in pediatric patients and the diagnostic challenge are discussed.


Aim Post-traumatic osteoarthritis and osteochondral injuries can cause significant pain and morbidity. Appropriate MRI sequences combined with image analysis techniques can be used to reproducibly measure quantitative cartilage parameters, hence offering a tool for monitoring and detecting degenerative change earlier than previously possible. We demonstrate the performance of a directional gradient vector flow (dGVF) snake segmentation algorithm on an isotropic MR sequence, which allows segmentation of the full articular surfaces (including malleoli) of the ankle. Method Eight ankles were imaged using a 1.5T MRI scanner with an isotropic 3D T1 weighted FLASH sequence with water excitation, resolution 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 mm. A subset of five ankles were imaged four times with repositioning and re-shimming of the magnet between acquisitions. Images were interpolated to 0.15 mm3 and segmented using a dGVF snake. Following 3D reconstruction of the cartilage layers normal thickness from cartilage to bone was measured at each voxel on the cartilage surface. Results The mean cartilage thickness (±S.D) was 1.80 mm (±0.05 mm); 1.83 mm (±0.07 mm) and 1.81 mm (±0.07 mm) for the talus, tibia and cumulative ankle cartilage respectively. To measure the technical precision of the segmentation method we determined the coefficient of variation of the four repeated measurements in five ankles. The mean coefficients of variation (min-max) from the repeated measurements were 1.74% (0.69%–3.57%); 1.20% (0.26%–3.06%) and 1.52% (0.26%–3.57%) for the talus, tibia and cumulative ankle cartilage respectively. Conclusion We believe that the reported isotropic image sequence and segmentation algorithm is a valid tool for quantitative assessment of the entire ankle joint. A possible application is the early detection of cartilage injury and degenerative change due to injury or illness.


Changes in the level of agricultural marginal productivity, labor force population and agricultural wages are important indicators of national economic development. By comparing the current agriculture marginal productivity and agricultural wages of China and Japan, we can educe our current stage of economic development, as well as China's labor policies should be taken to the next stage in accordance with the theory of Dual Economy transition. KEYWORD: Agricultural marginal productivity; Agricultural wages; Duality economy transition; lewisian turning point International Conference on Social Science, Education Management and Sports Education (SSEMSE 2015) © 2015. The authors Published by Atlantis Press 1085 2.2 The data of Survey This paper use the household survey data to do the statistics analysis. The data collected by the Ministry of Agriculture from 1995 to 2006, comes from continuous tracking survey for 21,000 households, 650 herdsmen, 300 agricultural villages, 15 pastoral villages in the country. Agricultural wage is used as the dependent variable, concluding the operating income in the food and cash crops from planting industry in the household operating income in the survey data. To be specific L is for labor date, A is for land area and K for capital stock. For the agricultural wage calculation, it is mainly obtained by using the three main survey data in agricultural workers (day), worker cost and rural price index. After statistical analysis of the data above, the average production flexibility can be obtained through regressive calculation. We can get the average agricultural productivity through the agriculture real added-value and the total agricultural labor time. Finally, using the average productivity of agriculture and the production flexibility, we can get the agricultural marginal productivity. For the real wages level of agricultural workers, this paper applies division calculation between the annual wage of agricultural workers and price index of agricultural products. 2.3 The model of calculation In the calculation of the marginal productivity of the agricultural sector, applying the Cobb Douglas agricultural production function to estimate the production flexibility of agricultural labor.     ) ( ) ( L Q K N Q Ae Y L N t  (1) Thereinto, N QN is for the labor, K is for the capital stock, L QL is for land area, parameter is for the rate of technological progress, the parameters    、 、 are for the production elasticity of labor, land and capital respectively. Assumed to be linear homogeneous functions, then, ) 1 (       . After rewriting logarithmic form it can be obtained by the following formula: t L t t N t L Q In InK N Q In t InA InY ) ( ) (          (2) Consider the impact factors of the dependent variables, this paper takes into account the element of intermediate inputs. The crops had been separated into food crops and cash crops in order to be observed. 3 THE TRANSITION CHARACTERISTICS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR 3.1 Changes of China's agricultural labor force population The total agricultural employment number, another characteristic of duality economics, keeps an increasing trend for the last decade in China. The rise of the rural labor migration amount caused the reduction of new surplus labor force amount. The data supported by the Ministry of agricultural and the National Bureau of Statistics shows that the rural labor migration number increases gradually in recent years. To be specific, the rural labor migration number increases from 5.066 million to 12.609 million, leading to a percentage increase from 16.0% to 27.5%. The conclusion shows, with the increasing number of rural labor migration, along with the rise of proportion of labor shift, the number of labor who enter into other industries will increase continually. On the contrary, the surplus labor force amount will be declined gradually. In the meantime, the characteristic of dual economics get clear. 3.2 Changes of marginal productivity and agricultural wages Using the above model, the agricultural productivity (food crops and cash crops) and the agricultural wages from 1995 to 2006 can be calculated, and the results were shown by fig1. Figure 1.Changes of the agricultural real wage level and marginal productivity From the fig.2, we can get a preliminary conclusion that Chinese agricultural wages have presented upward trend since 1995 overall. To be specific, although there was a temporary downturn relating to the agricultural wages in 2003-2004, this can be considered as a data defect caused by inconsistent standards, which was applied by the new survey method. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 19 95 19 96 19 97 19 98 19 99 20 00 20 01 20 02 20 03 20 04 20 05 20 06 Marginal productivity of food crops Marginal productivity of cash crops Agricultural average wage


The invention discloses an automatic variable-temperature blast drying oven which comprises a drying room, mesh partitions, a sensor, an electric heating system, a temperature controller, blast blowers, a hot air channel, a cold air channel, a blast chamber and valves. The mesh partitions are arranged in the drying room, the sensor is arranged on the inner wall of the drying room, the electric heating system is arranged on the lower side of the drying room, and the sensor and the electric heating system are respectively connected with the temperature controller; the hot air channel and the cold air channel are respectively communicated with two ends of the electric heating system; the blast blowers are respectively arranged in the cold air channel and the hot air channel; the cold air channel and the hot air channel are respectively provided with a cold air inlet and a hot air inlet; the valves are respectively arranged at the cold air inlet and the hot air inlet; the blast chamber is arranged between the electric heating system and the cold air channel in a communicated manner; and the blast chamber is provided with an air outlet. The automatic variable-temperature blast drying oven has the advantages that the temperature of the automatic variable-temperature blast drying oven can be automatically regulated, the efficiency is guaranteed, the time is saved, the experiment cost is reduced, and the experiment success rate is increased.


This study presents the organization of maritime businesses. The aim of the
present study is to clarify how maritime businesses are organized and administrated in the wide operating environment and the global shipping industry. Also, this study explains the necessary adjustments to the theories and tools of Management for the needs of the maritime industry and provides knowledge that contributes to analytic and synthetic ability of the readers.
The majority of shipping companies are organized according to the
departments that specialize in operational duties. The proper functioning of all
the departments enables us to develop a complete specialization in the field of their competence, which can make the business more efficient. Also, this method of organization allows the central control of the corporate strategy and it is effective when the business requires delegating specific responsibilities to specific departments.
For the conduct of the findings, as recorded in this essay, we used Greek and
foreign literature, approved websites with content relevant to the administration and shipping management, as well as personal contact with the employees of a naval company.


Anticoagulation clinics (ACs) have a greater impact on anticoagulation control than usual medical care (UMC). There is little evidence of the performance of AC in patients on warfarin living in low and middle-income countries. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of an AC in patients treated at a Brazilian public hospital. This was a randomized clinical trial that tested the efficacy of a recently implemented AC, compared to UMC, in outpatients with heart disease. The primary and secondary endpoints were time in the therapeutic range (TTR) and warfarin-related complications, respectively. Overall, 280 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to Group A: one year at an AC (A1: first half-year; A2: second half-year); and Group B: first half-year receiving UMC (B1) and second half-year being assisted at the AC (B2). The mean age was 56.8 ± 13.1 years, and most patients were female (54.6%). Above 68% of patients had limited reading capability. A1 demonstrated greater TTR (62.4 ± 20.8%) than B1 (55.1 ± 28.5%) (p = 0.014). Group B improved TTR from 55.1 ± 28.5% (B1) to 62.2 ± 23.1% (B2) (p = 0.008). Despite the underpowered analysis of safety, A1 exhibited a lower incidence rate (IR) per patient-year (p-y) of total bleeding than B1 (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.78; p = 0.041) and a reduction in intra-group comparisons (both groups: IRR 0.58; p < 0.001). AC care helped increase TTR in a low-income setting showing favorable performance in a distinct population of those evaluated by previous studies. Extending AC care to similar populations may improve the outcomes of warfarin use.


This book examines the challenges facing those who make and implement social policy at a time when free-trade economics reign supreme. It draws on linked ideas of social capital and the management of place, and presents international perspectives from a diverse range of countries, to question the domination of the economic and call for a new balance in making policy and measuring what is achieved. Lifelong learning is said to be vital for a 'knowledge society' in the 'new economy'. But looking at knowledge and the economy alone short-changes us, making economic growth not a means to happiness, but an end. The book moves from applied philosophical analysis in Canada, through debate about social capital and 'the political' in Australia, to consideration of governance for sustained renewal in Finland. It examines how these concepts apply as guides to action in a leading English local authority, Kent, and considers the role of universities in developing learning regions in South Africa's Western Cape Province. It concludes with the 'mother of all challenges', sustainability, with which economic growth must reach a rapprochement if we are to survive.


Monosex tilapia has great acceptability particularly among the lower income people due to its lower price. However, due to increased feed price the price of tilapia has been increased in recent years. Compensatory growth (CG) of fish that is achieved after a period of feed deprivation can potentially reduce the feed cost. The present study aimed to get CG in tilapia farming so as to reduce the production cost of this popular fish. Tilapia fry of 0.54 g body weight were nursed in hapa for one month and then stocked in earthen ponds where two different restricted feeding regimes were imposed for next two months followed by one month feeding at satiation level. Sampling was done fortnightly to record average weight gain in control and treatment groups. Average individual weight in restricted feeding group (T1) reached to 170.11±4.6 g in a three months experimental period and it did not significantly (p>0.05) differ with the weight gained in control group (182.79±5.32 g) where fish were fed on regular basis. The specific growth rate (SGR) also showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between T1 (SGR 2.66±0.011 % day-1) and control group (SGR 2.69±0.012 % day-1). Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in T1 (1.26) was found significantly (p<0.05) lower to that of control group (1.47), hence the per unit production cost was also found significantly lower in T1 (BDT 75 Kg-1) compared to that of control (BDT 88.23 Kg-1). On the other hand no significant difference was evident in biochemical parameters between the control and restricted feeding groups.  Thus, this study suggests skip feeding as an appropriate tool to achieving CG in monosex tilapia and to trim down the production cost as well.


A strain of cucumber mosaic virus causing marigold mosaic was partially characterized. The virus was isolated from diseased marigold (Tagetes erecta) plant growing at and around Aligarh, India. Diseased plants showed mosaic, mottling and stunting. Infected leaf tissue showed the presence of isometric virus particles measuring about 29 nm in diameter, resembling those of cucumoviruses when viewed using an electron microscope. There was enhanced trapping and decoration of virions with antisera to strains of cucumber mosaic virus, namely, soybean stunt (CMV-SS) and pea strain (CMV-P) in immunoelectron microscopic studies. There was neither enhancement of trapping nor any perceptible decoration of virions with antiserum to CMV-K8 cucumovirus. Host range, biophysical properties and non-persistent transmission through Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora and Myzus persicae also supported the diagnosis of the virus as a strain of cucumber mosaic virus.


Abstact: CCD observations of EZ Mon (GSC 4822 1190) was obtained at my private observatory. During 7 nights 654 images were collected. I found , that EZ Mon is an eclipsing binary of type EW with an amplitude of 0.56 mag.The first epoch is 54509.4147 JD. The secondary minimum is at phase 0.5 and iIt is 0.08 mag brighter than the main minimum. Its period was determined to 0.75233~d. The GCVS gives for EZ Mon a period half that size and as classification an RR Lyra star.


Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common human malignancy worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and metabolic change favors rapid energy production and biosynthetic capabilities. The energy adaptation pathways promote tumor cells to survive, proliferation, and metastasis, which may be induced by hypoxia, free radicals, and nutrient depletion from microenvironment. The stresses of microenvironment also cause cancer cell autophagy, which is the major way to escape from cell death. Thus, many metabolic enzymes have become potential targets for new cancer therapies. Uncovering the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that control the maintenance of cancer metabolism and autophagy is critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies to target cancer progression and recurrence.


A simple and efficient nickel-catalyzed oxidative halogenation (Cl, Br) of C(5) and C(7) C-H bond of 8-aminoquinoline amides has been developed. This method employed low-cost and easy availability nickel as catalyst and oxygen as oxidant. The reactions have good functional groups compatibility, giving highly selective C(5) and C(7) di-halogenated products in good to excellent yields.


The present invention relates to a neuroprotective agent and addresses the problem of providing a medicine for preventing and/or treating neurological disease. The problem is solved by using a compound, which has a 2-aminobenzamide structure having a substituent group at the para position of an amino group and has a dioxopiperazine structure, to protect nervous system cells and suppress cell death of the nervous system cells.


Improved deposition process to grows thin layers of silicon carbide having chosen crystalline structures. Process incorporated into sequences of deposition and etching steps used to fabricate silicon-carbide-based semiconductor devices. Important advance because silicon carbide emerging as superior semiconductor for devices operating under conditions of high power, high temperature, and/or high frequency. Furthermore, various crystalline structures of SiC have different electronic properties, each suited to specific application.


SummaryThe three studies addressed the practical problems facing educators working with non-literate people in Haiti. The sites (see Diagram I) were various rural locations, but the difficulty in being able to read pictures" did not change over the 30-year period. Haiti is representative of other countries where both script literacy and pictorial literacy is of concern. A recent study from South Africa, (Hugo and Skihhe, 1991) report a pilotstudy whose findings indicate that visual literacy is a key factor in effective medical and health education. There continues to be a need for caution when visual materials are designed for villagers with limitations in visual literacy skills. Lawless (1990), an anthropologist, summarized Gustatson's work by saying that her pioneering work in health education in Haiti shows the need to consider methods from the oral tradition (drama, songs, story telling, and puppets) as well as a knowledge of the principles of visual literacy.


A fuel injection mode is flexibly controlled according to the actual extent of adverse effects on an internal combustion engine from both deterioration of exhaust gas emissions and fuel dilution caused by fuel adhering to the piston top face and the cylinder inner peripheral face. A dilution degree counter value C is counted up when a coolant temperature at engine startup THWST and an intake air quantity sum value after engine startup GASUM are each equal to, or less than, respective predetermined values. A fuel dilution flag is set to "ON" when the dilution degree counter value C is equal to, or greater than, a predetermined value CH. A fuel injection timing of an intake stroke injection is changed to a timing on the advance side when this fuel dilution flag is "ON."


The objective of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of the agromorphological diversity of Cleome gynandra L. of the West of Burkina Faso. Hundred accessions, collected in the vegetable gardens and the natural populations of the sahelo-soudan zone and the soudan zone of Burkina Faso, was evaluated according to a Latinized Alpha-Plan design. Observations and Biometrical measurements were carried on 23 variables. The study revealed a great agromorphological variability within the accessions from the vegetable gardens and those collected in the natural populations. 17 characters - 11 quantitatives and 6 qualitatives discriminate the studied accessions. Highly significant differences at 1% were observed between the accessions of the two climatic zones and between the accessions from the vegetable gardens and those collected in the natural populations. The agronomical performances of the accessions from the sahelo-soudan zone are higher than those of the accessions from the soudan zone. Also, the performances of the accessions from the vegetable gardens are higher than those from the natural populations. Several positive correlations were observed. The study of the structuring of the diversity of the accessions revealed two great sets. The first set is mainly constituted with cultivated accessions and accessions from the sahelo-soudan zone. The second set is mainly constituted with accessions collected in the natural populations and of accessions from the soudan zone. Thus, the growing practices and the climatic zones were the determining factors in the structuring of the diversity of the studied accessions.


A generalised reaction-diffusion field model for robot navigation is proposed. It utilises two mutually antagonistic neural fields counteracting in patterns similar to that of flexor/extensor muscles controlling the movements in major joints in the human body. Combining local activation and generalised inhibition represented by Amari's neural field equations and extended by the Fitzhugh-Nagumo and Wilson-Cowan activator-inhibitor systems, results in the type of neural attractor dynamics that may lead to spontaneous oscillatory pattern formation. Preliminary simulation data suggest that this approach has utility in enabling a team of autonomous vehicles to navigate in a crowded pedestrian crossing.


Leger et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (2012)] measured the intelligibility of speech in steady and spectrally or temporally modulated maskers for stimuli filtered into low- (<1.5 kHz) and mid-frequency (1–3 kHz) regions. Listeners with high-frequency hearing loss but near to clinically normal audiograms in the low- and mid-frequency regions showed poorer performance than a control group with normal hearing, but showed preserved spectral and temporal masking release. Here, we investigated whether a physiologically accurate model of the auditory periphery [Zilany et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (2009)] can explain these masking release data. Intelligibility was predicted using the Neurogram SIMilarity (NSIM) metric of Hines and Harte [Speech Commun. (2010) and (2012)]. This metric can make use of either an "all-information" neurogram with small time bins or a "mean-rate" neurogram with large time bins. The average audiograms of the different groups of listeners from the study of Leger et al. were simulated in the m...


A new methodology for the detection and classification of insulator arc faults for the smart grid environment based on phasor angle measurements is presented in this study and the real time phase angle data are collected using Phasor Measurement Units (PMU). Fault detection of insulator arcing faults is based on feature extraction and frequency component analysis. The proposed methodology pertains to the identification of various stages of insulator arcing faults in transmission lines network based on frequency characteristics and synchronous phasor measurements of voltage. The methodology is evaluated for IEEE 14 standard bus system by modeling the insulator arc faults using MATLAB/Simulink. The proposed methodology employing PMU is used for fault detection/classification of insulator arcing which further helps in efficient protection of the system and its stable operation.


Dermatologic balneology and spa treatments are well established therapeutic regimens throughout Europe for dermatology as well as for venereological conditions. In Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Spain. Slovenja, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and in many other European countries many dermatologists and venereologists utilise spa treatments as an integral part of therapy. In some cases, crenotherapy (or integrate crenotherapy) may even represent the first alternative choice to drugs in chronic or non-responsive inflammatory dermatoses. As always, exaggerated claims by charlatans and anecdotal and miraculous stories of cures, undermine the reputation of true dermatologic balneology. Nevertheless, in Europe some University Schools of Medicine have developed departments with Chairs of Hydropathy, Balneology or Chronothermalism for the proper scientific study of the subject. In this issue, the field is represented by two papers: ''The effect of bathing in a thermal lagoon in Iceland on psoriasis'' [\] by Olaffson et al. discussing the effects of spa treatments in the


The Tree Data (TD) methods are used to sample individual live and dead trees on a fixed-area plot to estimate tree density, size, and age class distributions before and after fire in order to assess tree survival and mortality rates. This method can also be used to sample individual shrubs if they are over 4.5 ft tall. When trees are larger than the user-specified breakpoint diameter the following are recorded: diameter at breast height, height, age, growth rate, crown length, insect/disease/abiotic damage, crown scorch height, and bole char height. Trees less than breakpoint diameter and taller than 4.5 ft are tallied by species-diameter-status class. Trees less than 4.5 ft tall are tallied by species-height-status class and sampled on a subplot within the macroplot. Snag measurements are made on a snag plot that is usually larger than the macroplot. Snag characteristics include species, height, decay class, and cause of mortality.


The issue of e-government development and the concept of the smart city as an answer the government service challenges have emerged before. Cellular communication technology, communication networks, are developing rapidly and provide opportunities to play a role in the development of government areas. The emergence of smart city mobile applications can play a role in solving the challenges of shortening time, cutting distances, and disclosure of information. A technology acceptance survey has been carried out combined with cultural moderators. The survey data in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is processed using Smart PLS 3.2 with Sequential Equation Modeling. It is unique to be discussed because the p-values of Uncertainty Avoidance (UC) 0,013 which means this is most significant, but Individual/Collectivism (IC) is more than 0.05, which means IC is not significant, it does not moderate the behavior of users of this technology. In this paper, we describe the findings of IC research that do not moderate behavioral intentions. One of our findings is that users use this application due to government service needs, so aspects of individualism and collectivism have no significant effect. We review other findings in the IC moderator in-depth about why they do not affect.


The paper presents analysis of the response of different pavement designs at the Virginia Smart Road to loading using a Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) over a period of time and under varying environmental conditions. It concentrates on determining the as-build structural capacity of the different pavement materials in the first 8 sections (A through H) to quantify their individual response and performance and measure their seasonal variations due to temperature and moisture changes. The structural capacity of the flexible pavement test sections was evaluated using an FWD as the pavement was constructed. Testing was performed on the surface of each finished layer shortly after placement and periodically after that. The temperature and moisture of the various pavement layers were collected using the embedded sensors. Seasonal and long-term changes in structural capacity of each section are monitored periodically (quarterly) to accurately assess any changes in the material properties. Several backcalculation approaches were evaluated for estimating the moduli of the pavement system layers. A baseline software package, which uses a layered linear elastic model, was selected after evaluating several approaches. A detailed backcalculation procedure was defined, which includes provisions to combine thin pavement layers and criteria to determine the reasonableness of the backcalculated moduli. The procedure also considers the strengthening of the cement treated layer and stress-dependency of the granular layers. The deflections obtained from the FWD testing were analyzed to estimate the as-built, in-situ resilient modulus of each layer. The analysis of the deflection measured over the subgrade was initially used to determine the subgrade modulus and depth to bedrock. The modulus of the granular subbase layer was then determined based on the deflections measured over that layer. The process was repeated over each subsequent layer to determine the initial moduli for all pavement layers. The measurements over the HMA base layer were repeated at different pavement temperatures to evaluate the temperature susceptibility of the HMA layers. The backcalculated moduli were validated by conducting FWD tests directly on top of embedded pressure cells. The response of the instruments was comparable with the stresses computed using a multilayer linear elastic analysis package.


Objective To investigate the correlation between the endothelium dysfunction with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods Two dimensional echocardiography (2 DE) was used to measure brachial artery inner diameter in 70 CHD patients (endothelium dependent and endothelium nondependent diastolic systolic function).Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO),endothelin 1 (ET),prostacyclin (PGI 2),thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2),atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP),tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP) was measured with radioimmunoassay and chemistry method.And 20 healthy persons were included in control group.Results Endothelium dependent vascular diastolic systolic function was significantly decreased in CHD group as compared with control one; while endothelium non dependent diastolic systolic function was not significant in CHD group compared with control one.The plasma level of ET,TXA 2,TNF was higher and that of NO,PGI 2,ANP,CGRP was significantly lower in CHD.Conclusions Endothelium dysfunction and the umbalance of endogenous vasoactive substances may play an important role in the pathology of CHD.


The authors brieflyintroduce the technologyofusingcombustion machine signal controllingthe frequency converter to adjust the fan output power.This can not only be satisfied with technology requirements,but also rea-lize energy-saving.


Areas with high level of urbanisation provoke frequent conflicts between nature and people. There is a lack of cooperation between planners and nature scientists in urban studies and planning process. Landscapes usually are studied using the ecological and aesthetical approaches separately. However, the future of urban planning depends on integration of these two approaches. This research study looks into different methods of landscape ecological aesthetics and presents a combined method for urban areas. The methods of landscape visual aesthetical assessment, biotope structure analysis, landscape ecology evaluation and multi-disciplinary expert level are compared in the article. A comparison of obtained values is summarized by making a comparative matrix. As a result, a multi-stage model for landscape ecological aesthetics evaluation in urban territories is presented. This ecological aesthetics model can be successfully used for development of urban territories.


Description Logics (DLs) are a well-known family of knowledge representation formalisms based on the notion of concepts and roles. They are mainly characterised by constructors for building complex concepts (and roles) from simpler ones. For many DLs, the subsumption (sub-class/super-class) relationship among these concepts is defined by their formal semantics and can be decided through adopting a suitable algorithm [7]. The usage of DLs in knowledge representation has been highlighted by the recent explosion of interest in the so-called "Semantic Web" [2]. Claimed to be the next generation World Wide Web, the Semantic Web is trying to enable Web resources to be accessible to automated processes using a semantic markup mechanism which can annotate the metadata (data about data) of the Web resources, such that data on the Web will be not only machine readable (just like the Web nowadays is), it will be machine understandable. In the Semantic Web, DLs are set to provide both formal underpinnings and automated reasoning services for Web knowledge representation languages such as OWL [4]—a Web Ontology Language which is now a W3C candidate Recommendation. With the increasing demand for Semantic Web applications, research in reasoning with individuals is likely to be much more important. For example, after translating annotations from (Semantic) Web pages in OWL into instances of ontology classes (DL concepts), an inferencing service would be useful which is provided in order to retrieve annotations/pages "matching" a given DL concept description or to find out the implicit information among them. Recalling the correspondence between OWL and DLs, it is reasonable then to consider of using ABox reasoning (the DL term for reasoning with individuals) to achieve this. However, this task seems to be difficult for DLs alone: the difficulty of developing practical ABox reasoning algorithms does not arise only from the complexity of dealing with individuals1, but from the fact that there is no prior knowledge of how large


In this study, the conductivities of various polypyrrole (PPy) films were evaluated via the corresponding surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the peak position of CC bonds stretching of PPy obtained from the SERS spectrum shows more exactly both qualitatively and quantitatively representing the conductivity of PPy than the N+/N ratio or the doping level obtained from the XPS analysis does. Namely the peak position of CC bonds stretching of PPy monotone decreases to a lower frequency side with the increase of the conductivity of PPy. Furthermore, a satisfactory correlated equation between them was obtained. On the contrary, neither the N+/N ratio nor the doping level can be qualitatively reflective on the corresponding conductivity of PPy.


A modified structure of Cupo-Gitlin adaptive sinusoid phase jitter compensation system is developed.The input signals of the LMS algorithm in Cupo-Gitlin's method are changed to make the method more pertinent.The implement compensation steps of the modified method are also listed.The simulation results show that the modified method enhances the compensation ability greatly.The effects of the phase jitter parameters are obtained through theoretical analyzing,and the optimum parameters are obtained by simulation.The simulation results illustrate that the optimum value of filter taps number L and pilot symbols number R are 30 and 50,respectively.


Dynamic tear tests at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), using a series of beam specimens with increasing depth, have shown that the toughness of 3-in.-thick 5083 plate varied from surface to mid-plane. To explore the possible extent of such variation in still thicker plate and provide an economical test for assessing the effect of process variables on toughness, similar specimens were tested under static loading. The data obtained could be interpreted with the aid of the plastic resistance concept used by NRL. It was found that they would also yield approximate values of strain energy release rate at crack initiation (G/sub Ic), thus, linking the dynamic tear test and ratio analysis diagram directly to elastic-plastic fracture mechanics. The test method is much more economical than full plate thickness tests, and the results are believed to be more indicative of the materials' resistance to fracture than small specimen (invalid) K/sub Ic/ values, which are more indicative of material yield strength and the crack length dictated by specimen size, than they are of toughness. Surface layers of one 5083-O plate, 7.75 in. thick (195 mm), were found to be 20 to 30 percent tougher than center layers at room temperature. Toughness ofmore » the surface layers improved somewhat as the temperature was lowered to -260/sup 0/F. However, the improvement of the center layers was more dramatic. At the lower test temperature toughness was essentially uniform throughout the plate thickness.« less


Radiotherapy is the only way to cure nasopharyngeal carcinoma at present. Radioresistan is the primary cause of the poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Targeted radiosensitization strategys including molecular targeted radiosensitization, gene targeted radiosensitization,hypoxia targeted Radiosensitization and nano targeted sensitization had goal-oriented, better outcomes and fewer side effects were the research hotspots in various strategies of radiosensitization on the current and the future. It is expected to solve the problem of nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiation resistance by doing further research on the mechanism of radiation resistance, finding the key therapeutic targets and performing multi gene and multi link combined targeted intervention.

Key words:
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; radiosensitization; targeted


In the Vehicular Ad hoc NETwork (VANET) communications, the presence of intersections, vehicles, and obstacles such as buildings may obstruct signal propagation especially in urban areas. Moreover, the vehicle's mobility and density also cause intermittent in inter-vehicle connection due to unpredictable and diverse channel conditions. Rate adaptation is the key method in VANET to predict the prevailing channel conditions and decide appropriate transmission rate quickly based on channel status. Although various rate adaptation algorithms using closed and open loop exist, it is difficult to select the best rate adaptation method due to unpredictable nature of the vehicular environment, while inappropriate data selection leads poor network performance as well. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of different data rate adaptation algorithms in VANET, using closed-loop and open-loop based approaches. The two-targeted open loops are Atsushi Onoe Algorithm and Minstrel, while Collision-Aware Rate Adaptation (CARA) and Robust Rate Adaptation Algorithm (RRAA) are closed-loop based approaches. The mentioned algorithms are simulated under high-density VANET scenario with a number of nodes starts from 40 up to a hundred using the discrete event network simulator NS-3. Moreover, the distance between the nodes is investigated also over the selected approaches. Simulation results, in general, show that the close-looped outperform the open-looped approach, with RRAA better than others by at least 9.4% and nearby reach to 62% in the average throughput over the different node density as the distance varied. The packet delivery ratio is slightly diverse over the node density. However, an end-end delay is 233.39 ms which is the worst among others, but still adequate for the high critical demand applications.


This study was conducted to determine the effective herbicides and methods to control Aneilema keisak Hassk. in paddy fields. Dormancy of seeds of A. keisak broken the most part on the storage over 80 days in water with low temperature (5 ). Germination period seeds of A. keisak broken dormancy took 9, 6, 5, 3 days respectively on 10, 15, 20 and 25 . Penoxsulam and cinosulfuron among ALS inhibiting herbicides applied from first to sixth leaf growth stage of A. keisak had controlling effects of 90 percent to fourth and sixth leaf growth stage respectively. Non-sulfonylurea herbicides, such as butachlor, pretilachlor, thiobencarb, esprocarb, mefenacet and pyrazolate applied to fourth leaf stage times of A. keisak had controlling effects of 90 percent. The application of thiobencarb+simetryn, pyrazolate+butachlor, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl+molinate+simetryn and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl+pyrazolate+simetryn controlled to sixth leaf stage times of A. keisak. The foliar application of bentazone+MCPA, pribenzoxim and bispyribac-sodium controlled effectively A. keisak on 33 days after emergence. These results suggest that reasonable herbicides are selected according to timing control of A. keisak and rice cultivation.


Pulse compression using a maximum-length sequence (M-sequence) can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the reflected echo in the pulse–echo method. In the case of a moving object, however, the echo is modulated owing to the Doppler effect. The Doppler-shifted M-sequence-modulated signal cannot be correlated with the reference signal that corresponds to the transmitted M-sequence-modulated signal. Therefore, Doppler velocity estimation by spectrum-pattern analysis of a cyclic M-sequence-modulated signal and cross correlations with Doppler-shifted reference signals that correspond to the estimated Doppler velocities has been proposed. In this paper, measurements of the position and velocity of a moving object by the proposed method are described. First, Doppler velocities of the object are estimated using a microphone array. Secondly, the received signal from each microphone is correlated with each Doppler-shifted reference signal. Then, the position of the object is determined from the B-mode image formed from all cross-correlation functions. After that, the velocity of the object is calculated from velocity components estimated from the Doppler velocities and the position. Finally, the estimated Doppler velocities, determined positions, and calculated velocities are evaluated.


This thesis is concerned with the solution of the Riemann problem for the Euler equations with nonconvex and nonsmooth equation of state. The main goal is to develop an exact Riemann solution by means of wave curve composition, which accounts for physically relevant effects such as composite waves or split waves across phase boundaries. A frequently considered experimental configuration is a shock tube, where two states of a fluid are initially separated by a diaphragm. Instantaneously removing the diaphragm leads to a development of various physical states embedded in moving separated regions inside the tube, where the fluid is compressed or rarefied in a specific manner. In contrast to the standard setting, where only shock waves and rarefaction waves exist, so-called BZT-fluids possess a region of negative nonlinearity in phase space. This leads to an additional wave type, composed of shock and rarefaction parts or to expansion shocks still satisfying the second law of thermodynamics. When we additionally take into account phase transitions, i.e., in our context transitions from vapor to liquid or vice versa, further non-classical effects such as wave splitting at the phase boundary may occur. In general the solution of a shock tube problem in space–time plane can be considered as a projection of wave curves in phase space. In short, each wave curve collects states which can be reached in a certain sense from its origin. If initial data is given, finding a solution to the shock tube problem means to determine the wave curves and the intermediate states, such that the wave curves form a way from one initial state to the other. Once the wave curves are constructed, the solution of the shock tube problem is known for all times due to the scale-invariance of the system. Here most of the mentioned aspects concerning solutions of a shock tube problem arise one–to–one for general hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. In summary, this thesis contains: (I) a construction principle in order to analytically construct the (Liu) entropy solution for the shock tube problem by composing waves, including the possibility of wave curves crossing phase boundaries and regions with negative nonlinearity; (II) an existence and uniqueness proof for the additional composite wave curve type occurring in the construction principle; (III) algorithms embedded in a library containing the exact Riemann solver to compute the solution for a shock tube problem numerically; (IV) comparisons of solutions of several numerical schemes for various configurations with the respective exact solution and the answer of the question, whether the schemes are capable to catch all new wave phenomena such as wave splitting.


Structural and behavioural factors drive the growth and change of spatial mobility in the industrialised countries: on the macro level we have observed tremendous increases in travel demand as measured by person miles travelled. This paper studies this development of mobility of tripmaking adult persons on working days by analysing micro data as it is provided by the four National Travel Surveys (NTS) that were conducted in Germany since the mid seventies. In order to fully capture the context which determines individual behaviour, we account for the nested hierarchy of persons within households within spatial settings by using a multilevel modelling approach. In addition we investigate the prediction power of a few classic socio-demographic variables for the daily travel distance of individuals in the four data sets. We find that after controlling for the covariates considered, the total variance of daily travel distance decreases over time, this decrease stemming both from the INDIVIDUAL and the HOUSEHOLD level. We further find that traditional socio-demographic household and person characteristics diminish in importance to explain person mileage. Significance and amount of the variance components taken together indicate some AREA level effect and strong HOUSEHOLD level context effects on individual daily distance. Thus it is important to consider all conceptual levels which generate significant variation in the mobility indicator under study.


In this article, the superconvergence analysis of nonconforming H 1-Galerkin mixed finite element method for strongly damped wave equations is studied under almost uniform meshes. The and quasi-Wilson elements are chosen to approximate the original and the real stress variables, respectively. By virtue of interpolation operators instead of Ritz projection of the original variable u and Ritz-Volterra projection of the real stress variable p, the supercloseness and superconvergence results in broken H 1(Ω) norm for u and broken H(div; Ω) norm for p are derived for both semidiscrete and fully discrete schemes. Furthermore, some numerical results are given to confirm the theoretical analysis.


Background. Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) is one of the most common STD spread in Europe and in developed Countries. According to international studies, the highest prevalence is observed among asymptomatic, sexually active, young women, 15-24 aged. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for genital infection with C.t. in young women under 25 aged attending to family planning clinics of Turin to active screening programs to be cost-effective in reducing the spread of C.t. infection. Study design. All the unrolled women between June 2008-December 2010, were tested for C.t. infection, using Real time PCR, on a vaginal specimen. A kit and a socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical-gynaecological questionnaire were provided to the participating clinics. Results. The study included 1831 women, of whom 31% 19 aged. The prevalence was 7.3% and was significantly associated being non Italian, having had more lifetime sexual partners and more than 1 partner in the previous six months. Conclusion. Our results are representative of general young female population of Turin. Data are comparable with those of other international studies. The high rate of infection provides information useful to plan health care interventions, like to extend the C.t. free test, not only to young women attending to STD centers but also to those one attending to family planning clinics and to promote prevention interventions to sensitize, not only youth population, on the spread of C.t. and other STD, but also family doctors and gynaecologists in order to reduce the diffusion of infections and relate complications.


Garnet‐type Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTaO) is considered a promising solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) for all‐solid‐state batteries (SSBs), but LLZTaO/Li interfacial issues limit their power density. The key question of whether LLZTaO does or does not form an interphase layer before and at the initial stage of electrochemical cycling remains debatable. An XPS interface approach, electrochemical cycling, and an electrochemically coupled phase field model to study the dynamic changes of interfacial resistance during cycling are utilized, and it is found that the generation rate of the interphase via electrochemical reaction processes at the LLZTaO/Li interface depends on the applied current density. For a Li/LLZTaO/Li cell, the impedance and overpotential increase gradually at the initial stage of electrochemical cycling at a current density of 0.1 mA cm–2 due to the formation of a passivating reaction zone (interphase) at LLZTaO/Li interface, which can protect the LLZTaO from being continuously reacted. With increasing the current density to 0.5 mA cm–2, the electrochemical reaction is suppressed and tied to uneven Li ion transport across the LLZTaO/Li interface on plating, leading to a short circuit of the cell. Understanding how interface dynamic transformations influence electrochemical degradation is helpful to stabilize these interfaces in SSBs.


Critical approaches to the study of terrorism do not inquire into the causation of political violence. Rather, the umbrella term "critical" encompasses a large variety of methodologies which reject the positivist philosophy of science. This chapter explores the meaning of "critique" as an epistemological alternative to positivist models of knowledge. It shows how "critical" approaches do not ask "what causes terrorist violence," but rather how societies have come to a point where they identify "terrorism" as a distinct form of violence, separate from "war" and "crime." What makes terrorism "sensible"? How do we "know" terrorism as a concept or form? Drawing from long philosophical traditions, critical approaches explore how power, culture, and linguistics have constituted the concept of "terrorism"—creating a reality which is not "obvious" or common-sense, but contingent and arbitrary. The chapter then outlines the critical method of "discourse analysis" and its use in constructivist analyses of the War on Terror.


The neutral beam injection (NBI) system for ITER is based on a large (Asource = 1.9 × 0.9 m2) negative hydrogen or deuterium ion source. In this source negative ions are produced in a low-pressure (pfill ≈ 0.3 Pa) plasma by conversion of atoms and protons on a caesiated molybdenum surface with low work function. Then the negative ions are transported through the plasma to the extraction system where extraction of these ions and co-extraction of electrons also take place. This paper describes the status of the modelling activities connected with the negative ion test facilities of IPP Garching. It is illustrated that these modelling activities constitute a strong support of the experimental activities connected with the development of the negative ion source for ITER NBI. Several numerical codes developed in the past years—in close collaboration with the experiment—and their results are introduced. Focus is laid on the production, transport and extraction of negative hydrogen ions and on the inevitable co-extraction of electrons.


Our paper aims at testing the intertemporal substitution hypothesis (ISH) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The hypothesis predicts a positive relationship between the hours worked and the transitory changes in wages. We tested the hypothesis using the data on the daily income and worked hours collected via the survey questionnaire among small entrepreneurs in North-Western Bosnia and Herzegovina. The estimated wage elasticities turned out to be positive and different from zero, according to which it appears that the hypothesis of negative wage elasticities was not backed up by the empirical evidence. Our findings imply that the intertemporal labour substitution hypothesis found evidence and that we can reject the daily targeting hypothesis. We also argue that Bosnian entrepreneurs tend to pursue profits across working days because their main motive for running a business is the accumulation of capital and wealth, so that they follow the pattern of intertemporal labour substitution. The findings can be explained by an unfavourable business climate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a result of a long-lasting transition process the country is still undergoing.


Abstract We review the theory of shock drift acceleration, developing the theory in detail for gyrophaseaveraged particles. It is shown howboth the upstream and downstream velocity spaces separate into different regions according to the interaction of the particles with the shock (reflection, transmission, head-on, overtaking). The effects of the cross-shock electric field and of the magnetic overshoot are discussed. The effectiveness of acceleration is estimated for Maxwellian and power law distributions. The condition for a beam instability to be generated by reflected particles is determined and found to be independent of the distribution function for isotropic inflowing electrons.


Classical Levine's theorem [N. Levine: \textit{Semi-open sets and semi-continuity in topological spaces}, Amer. Math. Monthly {\bf70} (1963), 36--41] asserts that for a semi-continuous mapping on a second countable topological space, the discontinuity points form a 1st category set. There are two directions in~literature in which this result is generalized: by considering either multi-valued mappings or mappings on some second noncountable spaces (for the latter, see for instance [T.~Neubrunn: \textit{Quasi-continuity (topical survey)}, Real Anal. Exchange {\bf14} (1988/89), 259--306]). In this paper, we offer yet another path, namely, the path of so-called $\mathpzc{M}$-spaces, essentially weaker than the topological ones. Pointwise $\mathpzc{M}$-continuity of a mapping between two $\mathpzc{M}$-spaces is defined and characterized. These characterizations are the basic tool for our generalization.


The present invention relates to a method for transfusion (80) of the plug (40) and a vial (30). A vial (30) comprises a hollow body (31) for storing a liquid (80), the gripping portion (38) and a head (32). Head comprising: a delivery opening (33), which defines an axis (X-); closing diaphragm (34) adapted for closing the delivery opening; and, at least one circumferential thrust surface (35), from a projection adjacent to the head portion is defined. To the periphery of the grip portion firmly connected to the thrust surface. The insert of the present invention (40) adapted to deliver a liquid (80) is inserted along the axis and receiving a vial (X). It includes a plug body (41) and internal (42). The body includes a sidewall (410) and the lower tube defining a first (511) and a second lower tube (521) of the delivery section (411). The inner member comprising an inner wall (420) and a piercing tip (421). An inner wall (420) defining a seat adapted to receive a head portion of the vial (422), and comprising at least one circumferential inner radial thrust surface adapted to engage the vial (350) at least one slit (423). Piercing tip adapted to pierce the vial septum closure and defining a first tube (510) and a second tube (520). Internal member housed in the inner body relative to the body so as to be able to about axis (X) of rotation. In particular, the inner member can be rotated between the following configuration: fluid open configuration (A), wherein the tube in fluid communication with the lower tube; closed configuration and a fluid (B), wherein the tube is not in fluid communication with the upper tube.


Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) mainly focuses on recognition of internal and external activities. It is concerned particularly with transferring internal activities into external ones in as many numbers as possible, by also minimizing the internal ones. The major problem when operating a press machine is when the process of changing a die to a new one in order to produce other products. The die changing process is too long to be completed. Much energy is used through the process of changing of die includes human and machine. The objective of this project is to design and fabricate good external preparation equipment (prototype) for small press dies as a reflection to the next semester students who will continue this project in order to produce the actual product. The major step through this project is to study current condition of press machine. After study the current condition, went to PHN Industry Sdn Bhd for a pilot visit to get the related information of the project. Then the design idea is come out through the visit after seeing the condition at stamping department at PHN Industry Sdn Bnd. Two conceptual designs are produced using CAD Software which is Catia V5 and the design that fits the condition at Fakulti Kejuruteraan Pembuatan (FKP) laboratory was selected and validated by the supervisor. The selected design stimulated into rapid prototyping machine and fabricated. A prototype of external preparation equipment for small press dies (Die T-Table) is produced using rapid prototyping machine. This project will bring the idea for the next semester final year student who will continue this project and will assist them in order to produce the actual Die T-Table to be attached at stamping machine in FKP Laboratory.


The therapeutic conversation: a process which generates the stories that are in turn the source of it - The authoress reflects about the circular relationship between stories and processes wich are built in a systemic therapy. The stories emerging from the therapeutic relationship allow not only to take into account alternative contexts (as matrices of meanings for the experience), but also to access to a different therapeutic system and/or level: this opportunity in turn makes possible to live new stories. Through a case, she shows how frames created in therapy allow different succeding settings; setting's change, viceversa, makes easier the arise of new stories. According to Bruner's studies, the authoress points out another relational function of story telling. In the case several institutions or professional specialists are involved, stories play a main role in order to negotiate and define their position. Key words: therapeutic process, setting's flexibility, stories, intergenerational approach, therapeutic conversation, psychosis.


23, 2021; Accepted: November 29, 2021 The inhibition effect of the cocoa bean shell powder (CBSP) on SAE 1008 carbon steel was studied in acidic medium (HCl 0.5 mol L -1 ) by electrochemical techniques and gravimetric measurements. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to the chemical and morphological characterization. The gravimetric and EIS results showed that the corrosion rate decreases with increasing inhibitor concentration, reaching the maximum value of 97.92% in 1.77 g L -1 inhibitor (highest concentration studied). Even at the lowest concentration (0.44 g L -1 ) good corrosion inhibition efficiency (96.03%) was observed. The polarization curves indicated that the CBSP acts as a mixed type inhibitor. The inhibitory molecules adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model. The inhibitor economic evaluation showed that the use of CBSP is 48-616 times cheaper than traditional inhibitors. The results showed that CBSP is an efficient corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel


The gene expression of liver major gap junction (GJ) protein was studied in rats systemically administered phenobarbital, a rat liver tumor promoter. Using a GJ protein cDNA and northern blot analysis, the level of GJ protein mRNA in liver was observed to be markedly reduced at 4 and 11 wk of phenobarbital exposure (0.1% in drinking water). However, the level of GJ protein mRNA was not altered in kidney at 11 wk of exposure. In liver, phenobarbital did not induce expression of the neoplasm‐associated marker genes glutathione S‐transferase (placental form) and γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase, while in kidney the observed expression of these genes was not changed. These in vivo results indicate that phenobarbital reduces GJ protein gene expression specifically in rat liver without altering expression of genes often altered during liver carcinogenesis, and they support assigning a role for the impairment of gap junctional intercellular communication in phenobarbital‐mediated liver tumor promotion.


The TAFE Metals and Engineering National Curriculum Project was initiated by the Australian Committee on TAFE Curriculum in June 1988, in response to proposals put forward for a new federal metals industry award structure, by the Metal Trades Industry Association and Metal Trades Federated Unions. All the states and territories are represented in the project in response to the urgent need for reform to enable the Australian industry to improve its competitive performance in the world market. The project encourages metal trades workers to acquire ongoing marketable skills for accredited recognition and financial reward. The trade and technician courses are based on the curriculum model established by MTIA and MTFU recommendations that off-the-job training should be: (1) modular; (2) competency-based; (3) nationally recognised; (4) broad based, with specialisation in the later stages of training; and (5) a combination of cognitive and practical skills. This project has highlighted the importance of cooperation between TAFE and industry to ensure the workers within that industry are highly trained enabling that industry to be more competitive.


We determined the compositions of various sizes of garnets in so-called cold Huangzhen eclogites from Southern Dabie with electron microprobe, and observed that it shows intriguing zoning patterns. We find these zoning patterns can be interpreted by a relaxation diffusion mechanism. Using relaxation diffusion model, with the determined PT condition by means of traditional petrologic methods by others and numerically model of the profile's adjusting, the result suggests the adjustment of the smallest garnet in this study cost 23Ma until the process ceased. This means that the rocks of Huangzhen suffered an exhumation velocity about 6℃/Ma after the peak metamorphism. This result supports the idea that the Huangzhen eclogites did not experienced UHPM, and also provides important information on the tectonic mechanism for the mountain Dabie eclogites exhumation.


The ability to accurately predict how students will perform has a significant impact on the teaching and learning process, as it can inform the instructor to devote extra attention to a particular student or group of students, which in turn prevents those students from failing a certain course. When it comes to educational data mining, the accuracy and explainability of predictions are of equal importance. Accuracy refers to the degree to which the predicted value was accurate, and explainability refers to the degree to which the predicted value could be understood. This study used machine learning to predict the features that best contribute to the performance of a student, using a dataset collected from a public university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Experimental analysis was carried out with Black-Box (BB) and White-Box (WB) machine-learning classification models. In BB classification models, a decision (or class) is often predicted with limited explainability on why this decision was made, while in WB classification models decisions made are fully interpretable to the stakeholders. The results showed that these BB models performed similarly in terms of accuracy and recall whether the classifiers attempted to predict an A or an F grade. When comparing the classifiers' accuracy in making predictions on B grade, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) was found to be superior to Naïve Bayes (NB). However, the recall results were quite similar except for the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifier. When predicting grades C and D, RF had the best accuracy and NB the worst. RF had the best recall when predicting a C grade, while NB had the lowest. When predicting a D grade, SVM had the best recall performance, while NB had the lowest.


Higher functionality combined with increasingly data-hungry and more complex applications make embedded system design steadily more complex. This situation, however, is in direct contrast to development effort in terms of cost and time. A central pillar to face these challenges is system design automation. In this context and regarding increasingly software-centric embedded applications, this work presents a design automation tool for the transparent integration of memory subsystem optimization results into the embedded software at hand. Our solution is based on the LLVM backend and neatly integrated into the LLVM low-level compiler llc. In this paper, the workflow of our code generation method is described in general and further discussed on the example of a concrete implementation for the ARMv6-M architecture. Experiments for this platform and using 10 representative embedded benchmarks prove the functionality of our method by targeted tests and show the successful application of the tool to selected use cases from the field of memory subsystem optimization.


In the United States, census surveys, conducted annually since 1947, have shown that approximately one-fifth of the American people change their residence every year, and that one-third of those who are residentially mobile move at least across a county Iine.P Because of their cross-sectional character, these census data do not permit determination of the extent to which the high mobility rates are the product of the repeated movements of the same persons year after year, or the single moves of a larger number of persons from just one place to another where they become permanent residents. The need for duration-of-residence histories which will correct this deficiency in our migration data has long been recognized. Within the last decade a variety of attempts have been made to develop and utilize new sources of data which will permit such a longitudinal approach to the analysis of migration.v 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15 Most of these efforts have been directed toward developing sources which embody the advantages inherent in the continuous population registers maintained by a number of European countries.l10, 11, 14 These registers enumerate every move of each individual in the population, giving both the origin and date of arrival as well as the date of departure and destination. Where these systems have existed for a long time, the records provide a complete history


Temperature variations in an electronic current transformer(ECT) influence the ratio error and phase displacement and reduce the accuracy class of the ECT.To improve the output accuracy and ensure that ECTs satisfy their corresponding technical standards,a design principle for analogue filters for ECT applications is proposed in this paper,and the effects of the filters on the ratio error and phase displacement of ECTs are analyzed,and a technical scheme using a software based digital filter to compensate for these effects is explained.The tests conducted in the national transformer quality test center verified that an ECT employing this scheme can satisfy the corresponding technical standards for ratio error and phase displacement.


Objective:To explore the expressions of Caspase-3 and placental growth factor(PLGF) in chorionic tissues and decidual tissues of patients with unexplained early embryonic diapause. Methods:30 patients with unexplained early embryonic diapause(study group) and 30 normal early pregnant women(control group) were selected as study objects,TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of chorionic trophoblastic cells and decidual cells;the expression levels of Caspase-3 and PLGF in chorionic tissues and decidual tissues of the two groups were detected by immunohistochemical SP method. Results:The apoptosis index of chorionic trophoblastic cells in study group was(50.16±5.18)%,which was significantly higher than that in control group((18.00±4.00)%)(P0.01);the apoptosis index of decidual cells in study group was(48.66±4.48)%,which was significantly higher than that in control group((18.44±3.71)%)(P0.01).The expression level of Caspase-3 in chorionic tissues of study group was(0.425 8±0.044 2),which was significantly higher than that of control group(0.304 3±0.040 1)(P0.01);the expression level of Caspase-3 in decidual cells of study group was(0.417 5±0.051 5),which was significantly higher than that of control group(0.310 7±0.034 2)(P0.01).The expression levels of PLGF in chorionic tissues and decidual cells of study group were(0.320 8±0.035 4) and(0.317 7±0.021 6),respectively,which were significantly lower than those of control group((0.405 1±0.029 0) and(0.412 1±0.034 4),respectively)(P all 0.01). Conclusion:The proportion of cell apoptosis in placental tissues of pregnant women increases,placental angiogenesis disorder induced by trophoblastic cells and decidual function damage may be the foundation of occurrence of unexplained early embryonic diapause.


Emotions are directly related whit external or internal stimulation which a person is submitted, influencing these stimuli on their physical and mental health. These emotional changes produce variations in cardiovascular behavior and respiratory activity. This research proposes the characterization of cardiac system in healthy subject submitted to 3 different audiovisual stimuli, by means of the analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and upward and downward slopes of the QRS complex. The electrocardiographic signal (3 leads) was recorded from 29 healthy subjects. An audiovisual stimulation protocol was designed. Principal characteristic of ECG signals were extracted. After, a model was designed based on a Fuzzy K Nearest Neighbors classifier to determine different cardiac patterns related to each stimulus. Two classification procedure were performed, the first comparing all groups of stimuli, and the second comparing each pair of stimuli. These comparisons were applied to each obtained characteristic, HRV, and slopes. According to the results, HRV was able to differentiate between basal state and fear, with an area under the curve of 79%. Finally, two new healthy subjects were analysed with the obtained model. The pattern used with HRV and the upward slope of QRS showed clear differences between the propose stimuli.


We have previously reported the isolation of a G protein‐coupled receptor, CXCR–4, that is overexpressed in glioblastoma multiforme tumor tissue (GMTT), as compared to normal brain tissue (NBT).


A stability estimation approach is proposed to support complementary stability criterion design in vehicle planar motion. The comprehensive effect of tangential force and axle load transfer on tire cornering characteristics is considered corresponding to the longitudinal dynamics effects. The effectiveness of different stability concept is discussed in terms of the physical meaning of state variables in 3DOF differential systems. Based on the sense of technical stability, the 3DOF model is simplified according to longitudinal dynamics characteristic within definite observation time interval. The central equilibrium points continuum properties of the simplified model can be used to estimate the vehicle behavior in planar motion.


Grain size analysis and end‐member modeling of a long sediment core from Aysén Fjord (southern Chile) allows to identify over 25 seismo‐turbidites in the last 9,000 years. Considering the shaking intensities required to trigger these turbidites (V½‐VI½), the majority can be related to megathrust earthquakes. Multiple studies in south‐central Chile have aimed at finding traces of giant, tsunamigenic megathrust earthquakes leading to the current 5,500‐year‐long paleoseismological record of the Valdivia segment. However, none of these cover the southern third of the segment. Aysén Fjord allows to fill this data gap and presents the first, crucial paleoseismic data to demonstrate that the 1960 event was not unique for the Valdivia segment, yielding a recurrence rate of 321 ± 116 years in the last two millennia. Moreover, the oldest identified events in Aysén Fjord date back to 9,000 cal years BP and, thus, also extend the regional paleoseismological record in time. We infer a large temporal variability in rupture modes, with successions of full‐segment ruptures alternating with partial and cascading ruptures. The latter seems to significantly postpone the occurrence of another full rupture when consecutively occurring in different parts of the segment. Additionally, one outstanding period of seismic quiescence—during which no megathrust earthquake evidence has been found at any paleoseismic site—occurred after a full rupture in AD ~745 that presents an unusual uplift/subsidence pattern. Such variability makes it highly speculative to anticipate the rupture mode of the next megathrust earthquake along the Valdivia segment.


Objective: This study investigated Hounsfield unit (HU) differences in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery patients with and without proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), a common complication. Summary Background Data: Previous studies have identified osteoporosis as a PJK risk factor, and CT scanning is a valuable tool for detecting osteoporosis through HU measurements. The study aimed to determine the level of HU difference between patients diagnosed with and without PJK. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that assessed HUs for ASD surgery patients who developed PJKs. We searched in PubMed, Embase, Ovid, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to October 2022 and had two authors extract data and evaluate bias. Results: Four cohort studies with 250 patients were included in this study. Measurements of HUs at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 showed significant differences between PJKs and non-PJKs. (Mean difference (MD) at UIV: −25.36, 95% CI: −39.16, −11.56, p = 0.0003; MD at UIV+1: −21.06, 95% CI: −38.25, −3.88, p = 0.02). Conclusions: The study found measuring HUs of UIV and UIV+1 can predict the occurrence of PJK in ASD surgery. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.


Laboratory rats were subcutaneously vaccinated with 100 live tetrathyridia ot Mesoces- toides corti (Cestoda) and subsequently intraperitoneally challenged with 50 tetrathyridia. Necropsy 30 days postintection revealed that vaccinated rats harbored 97.4% fewer worms compared to control rats. In a second experiment, passive transfer of immunity was ac-complished by immune serum from subcutaneously vaccinated rats. Rats receiving immune serum harbored 33.4% lighter worm burdens compared to normal serum recip- ients.


Genetic parameters for lactose percentage in the milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were estimated using 48,859 test day records from six lactations of 8,418 cows and the Gibbs sampling method. The multiple-trait random regression model was applied for data from the first and subsequent (up to the sixth) lactations treated as two traits. Variance components and heritabilities changed in a similar way through the first and subsequent lactations, reaching the highest values at peripheries and relatively stable values in the middle of lactations. All estimates were smaller in the first than in the later parities. Heritabilities of daily lactose percentage ranged from 0.17 to 0.31 with a mean of 0.24 (SD=0.034), and from 0.23 to 0.36 with a mean of 0.28 (SD=0.026) in first and subsequent lactations. Genetic correlations for lactose percentage between the same days of the first and subsequent parities were less than 0.30, with the average equal to 0.26 (SD=0.047) and the minimum (less than 0.15) occurring in the first days after calving.


We here construct (large) local and small global-in-time regular unique solutions to the fractional Euler alignment system in the whole space [Formula: see text], in the case where the deviation of the initial density from a constant is sufficiently small. Our analysis strongly relies on the use of Besov spaces of the type [Formula: see text], which allow to get time independent estimates for the density even though it satisfies a transport equation with no damping. Our choice of a functional setting is not optimal but aims at providing a transparent and accessible argumentation.


We know that Art and Psychoanalysis always found ways to unite in their creative and therapeutic processes. However, the systematization of these meetings still lack a clear and accessible approach. What this paper intends to present, therefore, is a method that combines theater and psychology, psychodrama. It was created by Jacob Levy Moreno and for that, we will present a summary of his career as a playwright and psychoanalyst, as well as the whole


Eaterbrook (1959, p. 194) proposed that anxiety serves to reduce the range of cues or stimuli utilized and predicted that "the total amount of information transferred through the actions of an animal falls with increases in drive level." Using high and low scoring Taylor scale (1953) Ss, Pylyshyn and Agnew (1962) found no main effects of questionnaire anxiety on information transfer in an absolute judgment of distance task. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of shock and threat of shock on consistency and accuracy in a similar task. METHOD The stimulus display and dara coding were identical co chose used in a previous study (Pylyshyn & Agnew, 1962, pp. 412-413). Twenty-eight male university students served as Ss. Two conditions of noxious stimulation, shock and non-shock, and two conditions of exposure duration of distance to be judged (10 msec. and 1 sec.), were employed. All Ss received all conditions with order of condirions counterbalanced, i.e., each S made 80 judgments, judging the 20 distances involved under four conditions: short exposure non-shock, long exposure non-shock, short exposure shock, and long exposure shock, with order effects balanced. Ss were run in pairs. A 4-min. rest period was introduced midway in the experiment, after 40 judgments, during which the shock conditions were reversed: the non-shock Ss received shock instructions and had the electrodes placed and rhe shock Ss had the electrodes removed. Shock conditions involved placing the electrodes on the nonpreferred hand and instructing S that if he made more than four errors in each block of 10 judgments he would be shocked. Following each series of 10 judgments there was a 2-min. rest period during which E checked S's performance. An S operating under the shock condition during the first 40 judgments received a 225-v 30-msec. shock after judgments 10 and 30, while those Ss operating under shock condirions during the second half received shock afrer Judgments 50 and 70. A continuous record of heart rate was taken for all Ss to monitor the duration of the effects of shock and non-shock conditions.


Hemostasis is a proteolytically regulated process that requires activation of platelets and the blood coagulation cascade upon vascular injury. Activated platelets create a thrombogenic environment and amplify the coagulation process. Plant latex proteases (PLPs) have been used as therapeutic components to treat various ailments by folk healers. One of the main applications of plant latices is to stop bleeding from minor injuries and to enhance wound healing activity. Although many studies have reported the pro‐coagulant activities of PLPs, an in‐depth investigation is required to understand the mechanism of action of PLPs on platelets. Here, the effect of PLPs on platelet aggregation was studied systematically to validate the observed pharmacological effect by folk healers. Among 29 latices from the Ficus genus tested, Ficus drupacea exhibited potent pro‐coagulant and thrombin‐like activity. Drupin, a thrombin‐like cysteine protease responsible for platelet aggregation was purified from F. drupacea latex. Drupin exhibits pro‐coagulant activity and reduces the bleeding time in mice tail. It induces platelet aggregation by activating mitogen‐activated protein kinases and the nuclear factor‐κB and PI3K/Akt signalling cascade, which, in turn, phosphorylats, cytosolic phospholipase A2 leading to the release of thromboxane A2 from the granules to activate the nearby platelets to aggregate. Furthermore, we investigated the involvement of protease‐activated receptors in drupin‐induced platelet aggregation using specific protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR4 receptor antagonists. The results confirmed that the drupin‐induced platelet aggregation was mediated by both PAR1 and PAR4, synergistically. Overall, drupin reduces the bleeding time by exerting pro‐coagulant activity and induces platelet aggregation by activating the intracellular signalling cascade.